Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for April 12, 2006 FOOD FIGHT

Legislative committee derails ISBE's plan to restrict junk food in elementary and middle schools for next school year. Although expressing agreement with the junk food ban, some legislators are evidently not happy with the quality of the regular offering in the cafeteria. Or...is it all about the money...the sales revenue to be lost by local school districts?

From Boston.com...

Legislators block Illinois junk food ban

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. --The Illinois Board of Education's plan to restrict junk food in elementary and middle schools was blocked Tuesday by a legislative committee that said the state should also address the quality of cafeteria meals.

The plan would have banned soda, chips and candy from being sold in vending machines this fall. Local school officials have said they get crucial revenue from the sales.

Members of the legislative panel said that they support the proposal but that other health issues should be addressed.

The board of education should consider the nutrition of cafeteria foods, not just those in vending machines, they said. They suggested the board get more input from school districts and a legislative task force devoted to children's health and nutrition.

The board's general counsel, Jonathan Furr, said he hopes revisions will be proposed in time for the ban to take effect in August.

The junk food plan originally included standards for some cafeteria items, but the board dropped them because of objections from schools, spokeswoman Meta Minton said.